Harry Potter fans were shocked to learn of the October 25, 2002 death of Richard Harris, who played Albus Dumbledore, the snowy-bearded headmaster of Hogwarts wizarding school, in the first two Harry Potter films. Although filming had wrapped on "The Chamber of Secrets," Harris had already signed on to appear in "The Prisoner of Azkaban," the next Harry Potter installment expected to begin production in either February or March, 2003. Harris became ill shortly after filming was completed and died at University College Hospital in London while being treated for cancer. He had taken the role at the behest of his young granddaughter. Harris had previously starred in such films as "A Man Called Horse" and "This Sporting Life."